Volume V | Cognac & Brandy
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Cognac
A high quality brandy from the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime, France, distilled from white wine
Quality
Quality refers to the grade or level of a cognac;
VS (very special) has aged a minimum of two and a half years;
VSOP (very superior old pale) has been carefully aged for at least four and a half years;
XO (extra old), Napoleon, Extra, Vieille, Reserve has aged at least six and a half years, but usually for decades.
B
Balluet — distilled since 1845
Balluet VSOP ages at least 8 years - amber-colored brandy with a strong aroma: quince, sorrel, a touch of chocolaty sweetness. Extremely dry to the palate, with fruity overtones and mineral bitterness, smooth aftertaste.
Balluet the Tres Vieille Reserve ages at least 18 years – an amber color with reddish lights, a certain fruitiness outweighing a restrained sweetness in its youthful, fresh aroma. On the palate the fruity overtones develop a sweetness renascent of raisins; a richly nuanced, complex brandy.
Bisquit — distilled since 1819
Bisquit Classique – young, fresh brandy with exquisite fruit and floral accents and a pleasing secondary aroma (vanilla, caramel).
Bisquit VSOP Fine Champagne – classic Fine Champagne cognac with a breath of raisin in its pleasant, fruity aroma; surprisingly strong taste, a chocolaty sweetness in its rounded aftertaste.
Bisquit Napoleon Fine Champagne – strong almost brick red brandy with a distinct Bisquit signature: full of fruit, with spicy, herbal overtones and floral notes such as tea rose; very ripe on the palate with deeply developed strength; long lingering aftertaste.
Bouju — distilled since 1960
Bouju Empereur – premier cru cognac from the Grande Champagne region, carefully distilled and stored in oak for more than ten years. Strong, slightly yeasty brandy with a very deep almost substantial aroma that whets appetite, and in which a fresh hint of bitterness is nicely harmonized with warm, spicy notes; woody flavors and a lingering aftertaste of spices.
Bouju Extra – distilled on the estate from the wines of Bouju’s own vineyards and stored for more than twenty years in barrels of oak. Avery dry cognac with a great deal of character; a dark brick red with orange lights, pleasing aroma with well-integrated secondary scents, and complex fruitiness that intensifies on the palate; long aftertaste.
Bouju Tres Vieux - 50% by volume, Grande Champagne cognac, aged for over thirsty years, its alcohol content reduced by natural evaporation. Beautiful, mature color: a very dark brick red with red fire, highly viscous; the aroma of plum, raisin, and ripe fruit, mineral overtones; rich oak accents in the endless aftertaste.
Brillet — distilled since 1850
Brillet Reserve – distilled 100% from the yeasty grapes of the Petite Champagne; aged for 18 months in new oak barrels and up to eight additional years in older ones. Light amber in color; pleasant delicate fruit bouquet with floral notes and a hint of fresh yeast; soft and round on the palate, with a medium-long aftertaste.
Brillet Tres Vielle Reserve – Grande Champagne cognac, wholly produced by the house of Brillet from harvest through storage; aged at least fifteen years in barrels in the Brillet chais, with a trace of an eighty-year-old distillate that was allowed to harmonize in glass for thirty years after resting for fifty years in the barrel. Warm amber color; intense aroma with sweet notes of spices and flowers (linden, acacia); lively, full-bodied taste with delicately unfolding secondary aromas (vanilla) in the long aftertaste.
Brillet 1er Cru Grande Reserve – Grande Champagne – 45% by volume, distilled in a small copper alembic and aged for at least fifty years in oak barrels, the alcohol content is naturally reduced by evaporation. Deep, rich golden brown; winy, raisin tones mixed in with a distinctly spicy bouquet (cinnamon, vanilla, a trace of nutmeg); complex development of flavor, with hints of bitter almond in the endlessly long, rich aftertaste.
Brugerolle — distilled since 1812
Other trademarks from the house of Brugerolle: Bigord, Bonfire, Bonheur, Brunel, Camerone, Chartier, Dufaur, Duhau, Labarde, Lavoisier, Mirador, Pradier, Rodier, Rodin, Sorel.
Brugerolle VSOP Reserve – a mature brandy with a deep, succulent fruit (apricot, peach) and buttery walnut overtones; accents of spices like cinnamon and cloves are followed by soft, pleasant, but phenol-like touches. Elegant bitter notes in the long aftertaste.
Brugerolle Aigle Rouge Napoleon – gold with orange highlights; rich appetizing aroma of dried fruit (prune, apricot) and spices; fruity sweet long aftertaste.
Brugerolle Aigle d’Or Napoleon Extra – matured for twenty to twenty-five years in oak barrels; dark color with flashes of orange fire; pleasant very elegant aroma of plums, bitter almonds, violets, and a hint of flint. To the taste, which has a distinct flavor of plums, its enormous strength is more impressive that its complexity; medium-long aftertaste.
C
Camus — distilled since 1863
Camus Grand VSOP – blended on a foundation of Borderies distillates, this VSOP is then ennobled with Grande Champagne and rounded out with cognacs from either the Fins Bois or the Bons Bois. A very dry but expressive aroma with hints of nuts and marzipan and with butter notes, yet floral and spicy; pleasant sweet aftertaste.
Camus Napoleon Vielle Reserve – aged at least twenty five years in barrels of Limousin oak since 1969. Deep gold in color; elegant, fruity aroma, with hints of acacia, violets, bitter almonds, and vanilla; fruity to the taste, full, bittersweet.
Camus XO – the best selling XO cognac in the world, which distillates aged at least thirty years, the majority of them as much as forty years, in Limousin oak. Very forthright brandy with a rich, fruity aroma and earthy, even sweet overtones (brushwood, marzipan, apricot, violets); intense spicy almost bitter finish.
Courvoisier — distilled since 1811
Courvoisier VS – an assemblage primarily from the quickly aging Fins Bois de Farnac, with component of Petite Champagne; aged at least five years, a majority of distillates for eight years. A fresh, youthful cognac with a grassy, green aroma accented by fruit and wood tones; rather full-bodied, with a fresh, fruity taste.
Courvoisier VSOP – fine Champagne cognac aged from eight to twelve years. Typical Champagne character: fruity aroma with floral notes (rose, iris), offset by a certain amount of wood; round and soft on the tongue, with developing spicy overtones.
Courvoisier Napoleon – fine Champagne brandy, the individual components of which have been aged for fifteen to twenty-five years- the “Original Napoleon.” A very expressive distillate: repeated waves of scent reveal ripe fruit (apricot, plum), then deeper aromas (cigars, wood, spices) that continue to unfold, smoothly and full of body on the palate; long, intense aftertaste.
Croizet — distilled since 1805
Croizet VSOP – a cognac predominantly from the Grande Champagne, aged considerably longer than the prescribed number of years in the cellars in St.-Meme-les-Carrieres. Harmonious, with a forthright aroma, overtones of fresh fruit (citrus, grass, red currant) and flowers; rather light in taste, but fruity and smooth.
Croizet XO – an unusual assemblage of Grande Champagne and Fins Bois distillates, aged a very long time. An elegant brandy with a richly nuanced fruit bouquet redolent of oranges, apricots, and peaches; strong but round body with a dry, bitter taste; strong aftertaste.
D
Delamain — distilled since 1763
Delamain Pale & Dry – a noble Grande Champagne cognac, aged twenty-five years. Light, clear gold color; refreshing, varied aroma (citrus, acacia, a hint of caraway, flowers)
Delamain Vesper – thirty-five in old barrels have given this premier cru cognac its glowing golden amber color. A bouquet like a stroll in late fall: damp forest soil, dry wood, ripe fruit, spices, and herbs. With velvety smoothness the spicy notes intensify on the palate; long aftertaste.
Delamain Tres Venerable Cognac de Grande Champagne – aged in old barrels like all Delamain cognacs produced in the Grande Champagne, this one matured for more than half a century before reaching its peak. Clear, amber gold color; very complex yet delicate, almost feminine, aroma with hesitant floral notes (tea rose, violets) and rich fruit and spicy ones; a harmonious taste developing in successive waves with deepening secondary aromas; very long aftertaste that continues to reveal new components.
A.E. Dor
A.E. Dor has the largest stock of old cognacs in the Charentes and producer of first-class cognac assemblages.
A.E. Dor Selection – an assemblage with an unusually large component of distillates from the Fins Bois, aged for five years in barrels made of Limousin oak. Still a very youthful, light distillate with clean, fruity aroma of pears, a breath of bananas, and delicate herbal notes.
A.E.Dor Fine Champagne VSOP – blended of equal parts Grande and petite Champagne and aged for eight years. A warm golden color; light richly varied bouquet with floral and fruity overtones (plum, fig), still slightly aggressive with spicy notes immediately revealing themselves on the palate.
A.E. Dor Napoleon – a classically composed assemblage from various crus aged for fifteen years in the barrel. Unusual combination of fresh citrus notes and a violet-tinged vanilla. Very light and dry on the tongue, with a mild but lingering aftertaste.
Dudignon — distilled since 1776
Dudignon VSOP – 42% volume, aged for ten years in oak; varied aroma: hints of citrus, mint, and grass; sweet and round taste; light and evasive in aftertaste.
Dudignon Napoleon – 42% volume, aged for fifteen years; a gold-brown color; elegant, fresh, fruity aroma with hints of citrus and breath of salt; distinct bitter chocolate aftertaste.
F
Ferrand — distilled since 1906
Ferrand Selection des Anges – a local cognac from the Grande Champagne aged on average for thirty years in oak barrels; elegant classic aroma of ripe fruit and spices mixed with a warm earthiness; rich on the palate, the spicy notes intensifying to nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee; a long, very warm aftertaste.
Ferrand Reserve Ancestrale – a brandy aged for more than seventy years, its components dating from 1920, 1921, 1923, and 1924. Very limited quantities. A very dark amber with reddish gold lights; despite its great age, the aroma is light and pleasant; floral concentration of musk and roses. Very complex, with a lovely full finish.
Fillioux — distilled since 1880
Fillioux Napoleon - Grande Champagne cognac, the youngest component of which is aged for eight years. An amazingly forthright cognac with a buttery oily aroma (walnuts, marzipan); explodes on the tongue with vanilla, caramel, nuts, and spicy notes. Very strong finish.
Fillioux Amateur – 42% volume, single-vineyard cognac, aged on average between twelve and thirteen years; deep amber, with a highly expressive, harmonious bouquet; warm, bittersweet, very dry, winy.
Fillioux Cep d’Or – premier cru cognac, aged on twelve or thirteen years; dark, very lively brandy with a vivacious aroma of raisins, bananas, grapes, nuts, a breath of tar, anise, caraway; increasing fruit on the palate (ripe melons, nuts).
G
Gautier — distilled since 1755
Gautier VS – an assemblage aged for three years in the barrel; very fresh, youthful cognac with a grass green bouquet preceding light fruits (pear, banana, grapes) and a touch of wood.
Gautier VSOP – an assemblage aged more than six years; light gold color; floral bouquet with a certain amount of summer fruit, fully integrated secondary aromas (vanilla, caramel); round slightly sharp taste with a spicy dry finish.
Gautier Napoleon – aged near river for twelve to fifteen years; a winy, round cognac: amber in color; strong bouquet with flowers (carnation, rose, possibly lily) and dark fruit (black cherries and currants) preceding spicy wood notes; round and soft on the palate, with dry aftertaste.
H
Hardy — distilled since 1863
Hardy Red Corner Fine Cognac VS – aged at least three years; very dark caramel-colored VS; floral, fruity aroma (raisins, banana, violets); winy and chocolaty on the palate.
Hardy Black Corner Fine Champagne VSOP – aged at least eight years; amiable aroma of nuts, honey, and chocolate accented by notes of tobacco, flowers, and spices; round and smooth.
Hardy Champagne XO – aged at least twenty-five years; a delicately proportioned, elegant distillate develops complex aroma: at first mineral, then evolving into a summery floral bouquet with a touch of fruit; spicy and dry at the finish.
Hennessy — distilled since 1765
Hennessy VS – an assemblage of forty different cognacs from the Grande and Petite Champagnes and from the Fins and Bons Bois, aged for more than three years. A golden honey color, with a fine bouquet of nuts, pineapple, pear, and oak-scented caramel; smooth and round on the palate.
Hennessy VSOP Privilege – stored in old oak barrels for four and a half to twenty five years. Amber colored, with a finely structured aroma of flowers (lily, freesia) and fruit (apricot, peach); round and full-bodied.
Hennessy XO – a top-quality assemblage whose components have aged from ten to seventy years, bottled in a crystal carafe, the prototype of which was created in 1870 for the first XO ever. A rich, creamy brandy with a lively aroma of ripe fruit (pear, peach, plum) and sedate spices (cinnamon, vanilla), all of which intensify on the tongue and give way to a long, smooth aftertaste with roasted flavors.
M
Martell — distilled since 1715
Martell VS – aged for five or seven years; taste of mature cognac though still retaining its youthful character; an aroma of summer fruits (also pear, banana); round and gentle on the palate.
Martell VSOP – aged from ten to twelve years; a delightful brandy with a delicate aroma, overtones of violets, peonies, and jasmine superimposed on ripe fruits; full-bodied and harmonious.
Martell Noblige – prestige assemblage of old brandies, some of them aged for more than half a century, only since 1994. A very harmonious cognac with an attractive spice and well-integrated woody tones in a creamy aroma; distinct honey sweetness and long, lingering, spicy aftertaste.
Meukow — distilled since 1862
Meukow Fine Champagne VS – aged at least three years; fresh, grassy bouquet of golden delicious apples rounded out with overtones of honey and spices; very smooth and dense on the palate, with a complex aroma of ripe fruit, nuts, and roasted scents.
Meukow VSOP – an unusual assemblage of mature brandies from the Fins Bois and the Grande Champagne. An early-summer cognac of light tones: subliminal acid, above which there is ripe, fruity sweetness(pumpkin, banana, grapes). Pleasantly winy on the palate, with creamy overtones of bananas, cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, and coffee.
R
Remy Martin — distilled since 1724
Remy Martin Fine Champagne VSOP – aged for seven years; amber color; floral, fruity tone and wonderfully complementary overtones of vanilla, roses, violets, linden blossoms, apricot jam, and hazelnuts. Soft on the palate and very dry until a bitter sweetness develops in the aftertaste.
Club de Remy Martin Fine Champagne – an assemblage of the best crus, aged for ten years; dark clear amber color; forthright aroma with late-summer scents of hay, potpourri, and juicy, creamy fruit; very smooth and round in taste.
Remy Martin XO Special Fine Champagne – aged for twenty to twenty-five years in Limousin oak barrels; dark gold with red lights; very forthright, spicy bouquet with slight floral scents(rose, freesia, jasmine) on top of chocolaty fruit tones (cherries, nuts, black currants).
Roullet — distilled since 1780
Roullet VSOP – aged more than ten years; an early-summer brandy with a fresh aroma of sorrel, tomato leaves, sour cherries, grapefruit, lemons, and spices.
Roullet Vieille Reserve – aged for more than fifteen years; an expressive midsummer cognac with the aroma of fruit pies; buttery sweetness is overlaid with cherry, pineapple, apricot, and peach notes and the scent of fresh grass and kitchen herbs ( lovage, marjoram), which intensify on the palate and create an overall winy, bittersweet impression.
S
Salignac — distilled since 1898
Salignac VS – aged for five years; still youthful and fresh, but already smooth and round, with a predominantly floral aroma.
Salignac VSOP – aged for six year; light gold color, with a lacy floral bouquet and a touch of wood, mild and ripe on the palate.
Salignac Napoleon – aged for twenty-five years and bottled in Salignac carafe; reddish gold, amber color; beautifully rounded with aroma of port wine and a breath of citrus; on the tongue like a mouthful of first-class bitter chocolate, with a long aftertaste.
Some entries contain descriptions provided by Axel and Bibiana Behrendt, journalists specializing in wine and spirits. |
